Tooth Brushing Tips for Children with Special Needs

Every child needs to learn how to brush their teeth, and here at Nishikawa Family Dentistry, your dentist in Torrance knows that parents with children who have special needs face additional challenges in teaching this essential skill. The following tips may help make the learning process easier for you and your child, with the added benefit of ensuring good oral health for life.

1. Start From Infancy, If Possible

Many children with special needs have sensory issues that add a level of difficulty to brushing their teeth. If your child is still a baby, you can help modulate these oral sensory issues by wiping the gums down every morning and night with a clean washcloth. This helps accustom your baby to a habit of cleaning inside the mouth. If you are working with an older child, the following tips can help:

2. Set the Example

Let your child watch you brush your teeth every morning and at night, or as often and as regularly as possible. Children like to mimic their parents, and this can normalize the activity in your child’s mind, making it seem less daunting.

2. Let Your Child Pick the Toothbrush

If going to the store with your child is overstimulating, bring a few toothbrushes home and let your child pick one. Try different colors and themes, but make sure their choices all have soft bristles and are an appropriate size for your child’s mouth. Our special needs dentistry team can also make toothbrush recommendations that can make the process easier.

3. Make Your Child as Comfortable as Possible

If it’s not comfortable in the bathroom, our Torrance, CA dentist recommends sitting with your child in a place they find comfortable and comforting. You can use a towel or a bib to catch any drips. If needed, let your child sit in your lap, and let them hold onto the brush while you hold onto their hand and gently brush their teeth with them.

4. Make it Consistent and Predictable

Many children with special needs feel more comfortable when a less-than-desirable activity happens on a set schedule, with a set routine. So, create a consistent habit with predictable cues to help the child learn that teeth brushing always happens after breakfast and just before bedtime.

5. Celebrate Their Successes

Celebrate every step of progress toward independence for your child! That includes tooth brushing. Create a special chart with stickers they can add after every successful toothbrushing session. Once they fill the chart, celebrate with a favorite activity. You can use any reward system that helps your child see their own progress, so they can feel proud of themselves and motivated to keep going!

Schedule an Appointment with Your Special Needs Dentist in Torrance, CA

Here at Nishikawa Family Dentistry, our entire team is specially trained to make visiting the dentist a calm, positive experience for all of our patients, including adults and children with special needs. Schedule an appointment with us today.